Chapter 89 The Ghosts at the Victory Banquet 1
"I never expected that we would receive an invitation from Banfang." Kogoro Mouri stood in the lounge, hands on his hips, watching the people chatting and socializing in the lobby.
This is a celebration banquet hosted by a film company to celebrate the box office success of the film "Piercing the Darkness".
The celebration banquet hasn't started yet; everyone is waiting in the lounge.
The lounge is furnished with several comfortable sofas and coffee tables. The sofas are made of soft and textured material, and the coffee tables are set with exquisite fruit platters and fine wines.
Social elites gathered, chatting in twos and threes, while waiters moved through the crowd like nimble fish.
Here you can see currently popular movie stars, as well as wealthy businessmen.
By the way, it seems that "Piercing the Darkness" is adapted from a case involving Kurosawa Jin before his death. Gu Ze mentioned it to me in the mall last time.
Conan Edogawa thought to himself.
As soon as Gu Ze mentioned it, someone invited us. Are you sure it wasn't arranged by Gu Ze on purpose?
He picked up a small stack of cakes and tasted them as he thought about them.
While Conan was still pondering, Kogoro Mouri was already thoroughly enjoying himself.
He casually sat down on the sofa, slowly swirling a wine glass in his hand.
"The wine here is really good! Hahaha!"
"Dad, drink less alcohol!" Ran Mouri advised from the side.
Then, she changed the subject, "We still don't know who sent us the invitation."
Xiaolan was wearing a light blue dress today, with a pearl necklace around her neck, which made her look elegant and graceful.
"Hey, isn't this my brother Mori?!"
At that moment, Inspector Megure, wearing his signature little hat, was followed by Inspector Takagi.
"Inspector Megure, you're here too? What a coincidence!"
"It's such a coincidence. I hope I don't run into any cases tonight. I don't want to work overtime," Inspector Megure thought to himself.
"We were able to come here because of Hagiwara and Matsuda."
"Will Inspector Hagiwara and Inspector Matsuda come too?"
"No, they didn't come." Officer Takagi waved his hand.
"This film was invested in by the Kurosawa Group, and the invitations were also issued in the name of the Kurosawa Group."
"So it was released by the Kurosawa Group. I didn't realize I was already this famous!" Kogoro Mouri exclaimed with delight.
"Then why aren't Officer Matsuda and Officer Hagiwara here?" Ran Mouri asked curiously.
Inspector Megure lowered his voice, looked around, and quietly scurried about.
"Although the movie was a box office hit, the actor portrayed Kurosawa as a reckless and troublesome character, and the director also included a lot of romantic scenes..."
"Ugh! It's complete fabrication! The people at the Metropolitan Police Department who saw this movie are furious..."
"So Matsuda and Hagiwara were completely unwilling to come, and in the end, they gave the invitations to me and Takagi."
"After all, it was an invitation from the Kurosawa Group, so it wouldn't be good to refuse them."
Inspector Megure was giving a long, detailed account, while Conan had already wandered off somewhere else.
He strolled aimlessly around the lounge with his hands in his pockets, his gaze inadvertently falling on the movie posters and cast and crew information hanging on the wall.
Conan's gaze slowly swept over each name.
Screenwriter: Shiratori Akira; Lead Actor: Ishii Mitsuru; Assistant Director: Nakagawa Ozawa; General Director: Naoki Yuji…
Naoki is second from the right!
Conan stood there, stunned.
I remember now, it was at that movie theater!
“This is the first time I’ve met Officer Kurosawa…” he murmured.
Long-forgotten memories are awakening, and childhood recollections are reappearing.
He remembered many things: boring movies in the theater, sudden murders, and a hand that ruffled his hair...
Yes, he remembered, remembered that blurry face... Kurosawa Jin's face.
Yuji Naoki, the director of the film "Piercing the Darkness," was also the director of the films that were shown in cinemas when I was a child.
Two films by the same director: one introduces Shinichi Kudo to Jin Kurosawa for the first time, and the other reminds Conan Edogawa of Jin Kurosawa...
Suddenly, a certain voice echoed in Conan's mind.
"You have excellent concentration. From now on, you'll be able to focus on whatever you do and do it well..."
His eyes felt a little sore, so he lowered his head and rubbed the corners of his eyes.
While Conan was immersed in his own emotions, the people behind him mentioned a name that made Conan's ears perk up instantly.
"Have you heard? That elusive reporter will also be attending this banquet!"
"You mean that go-kart?"
"right."
"As expected of the Kurosawa Group, they can even hire go-karts..."
Go-karting? Gu Ze is coming too!
Conan looked around but did not find Gu Ze.
In the time that followed, Conan kept a close eye on the people coming in at the entrance, hoping to find Gu Ze as soon as possible.
However, Conan did not see Gu Ze even after the banquet began.
The banquet hall is larger and more luxurious than the lounge, with magnificent crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, emitting a soft and bright light, like stars falling.
Large movie posters hung on the walls, and a snow-white carpet was laid in the center of the banquet hall, on which neat round tables were set with exquisite tableware.
As guests entered, Conan followed behind Ran Mouri, constantly observing his surroundings.
The celebration banquet officially began. The host walked onto the stage and started with a passionate voice. After a few less-than-stellar performances, director Naoki Yuji took the stage to speak.
So boring!
Conan, with his half-moon eyes gleaming, was about to set off to wander around when a familiar hand touched the top of his head.
It's obvious who it is; why does everyone like to pat his head so much!
"Brother Gu Ze!" Conan covered his head and ran away, glaring at Gu Ze.
Unexpectedly, the Kurosawa Group is so powerful that they even managed to bring in Gu Ze, whom the Suzuki Group couldn't track down!
“Brother Gu Ze, coming here will expose your identity. It’s really dangerous! You’ve offended a lot of people.”
"Let's leave while it's still early!"
Conan tried to pull Gu Ze's hand to leave, but couldn't budge him at all.
"I know, but don't worry, Conan, this is my own choice." Gu Ze shook off Conan's hand, squatted down, and touched Conan's head again.
"Brother Gu Ze!"
Gu Ze gave him a hard pat, then went to greet Kogoro Mouri, Inspector Megure, and the others.
Conan kept trying to persuade him, his little mouth chattering away.
"Alright, stop talking, he's here." Gu Ze's gaze fell on the brightly lit stage.
When it was time for the investors to speak at the banquet, Yinghai Zhiren led Bai Miao onto the stage and picked up the microphone.
Naoto Hideaki walked onto the stage with a smile, wearing a well-tailored suit.
Then, he said a few dry words, including but not limited to thanking the director, the actors, and his elder brother in heaven...
"Now, I'm about to introduce someone! He is..."
"A renowned journalist and writer! Mr. Go-Kart!"
The moment the name was mentioned, the audience erupted in uproar.
"Oh my god, are go-karts really here?"
"We came to the right place! We've got tomorrow's headlines!"
"..."
Everyone present was more or less excited, especially journalists and other media personnel, who never expected that a small movie celebration party would generate such big news.
Kogoro Mori craned his neck, turning his head and scanning the entire scene with his eyes.
He wanted to see what kind of person this guy was who had caused him to miss out on a huge commission fee!
"Please welcome Mr. Go-Kart to the stage!" the host shouted in a loud voice.
The next second, someone he never expected walked onto the stage.
"What!"
Kogoro Mouri pointed at Gu Ze, his eyes wide like saucers, his mouth agape as if he could fit a light bulb inside. Gu Ze was speechless...
"It's actually Brother Gu Ze!" Ran Mouri covered her mouth, extremely surprised.
Inspector Megure's hand holding the glass trembled, and he almost spilled the drink.
"This kid is playing me for a fool!" Kogoro Mori thought about the unfinished request and became angrier and angrier, his face gradually turning red.
If he had just said he was a go-kart driver, he wouldn't have lost that huge commission! Gu Ze is just making a fool of him!
[Ding! Kogoro Mouri and Ran Mouri's approval rating +10]
Gu Ze went up and said a few words casually, his purpose being to let the reporters know that the go-kart was his, so there was no need for him to make a big fuss about it.
Less than ten minutes later, he came down from the stage, but instead of going back to Conan, he went out of the banquet hall and hid in a small corner.
The banquet was held on the thirteenth floor of a high-end hotel in Mihana.
Gu Ze leaned against the wide-open window frame, looking down at the night view. The cold night wind whistled against his face, making his mind even clearer.
It's not appropriate for him to stand in public right now. Not only will Kogoro Mouri not let him off the hook, but the reporters are also eager to get him for an exclusive interview.
In the end, Conan was the first to find him.
"If you had listened to me and left this banquet, you wouldn't be hiding here all alone now," Conan said gloatingly as he walked towards Gu Ze.
Gu Ze glanced at him and said, "You don't know anything."
"I have my reasons for choosing to reveal my identity today. I have plenty of ways to protect myself, and nothing will happen to me."
Conan scoffed. In the past, he might have questioned it, but now he genuinely believed Gu Ze's words.
"I'll let you in on a little secret: there's going to be a good show later," Gu Ze said mysteriously, raising an eyebrow and whispering in Conan's ear.
"What are you up to now?" Conan looked at him with half-moon eyes, sensing that the person in front of him was about to come up with some bad ideas again.
"Ahem, I think it's about time to head back." Gu Ze coughed lightly, glanced at his watch, and left where he had been standing.
"Going back now?" Conan quickly caught up with Gu Ze.
"Uncle Mori is definitely still angry; if you go over there, he'll grab you..."
And those reporters, they're looking for you everywhere!
There's an old Chinese saying: "When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it!" I have my own methods...
Gu Ze and Conan chatted about this and that, and soon returned to the main entrance of the banquet hall.
Just as the two stepped onto the stage, a loud bang came from the stage.
"Whoosh—"
"Aaaaaaah!"
The light from the crystal chandelier flickered suddenly, and the banquet hall instantly descended into an uncontrollable uproar.
(Conan's classic door opening sound effect)
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